So the newest editorial calendar for September over at WOTC shows that on monday the 7th of September we’ll be treated to:
Debut: Skill Powers PHB3.
Okay. What the heck is that?!
My feeble mind won’t presume to speculate, so I leave that up to you guys. I can’t wait to see what you come up with on the comment space below. And I’m suddenly veeery interested in this book…..
www. Newbie DM .com 
Ishi
August 29, 2009
Psionics, hybrid classing and superior implements didn’t do it for you already?
I think we’ve got two “skill powers” already, the one for Bluff (standard action, encounter power, bluff vs insight, gain CA) and intimidate (standard action, encounter power, intimidate vs will, bloodied target surrenders). I suspect w’ere going to get more. E.g. diplomacy working like the bard power Fast Friends.
Mike
August 29, 2009
Instead of using abilitie scores to determin the attack, its now your skill check.
an example of a power i can see
Jump Kick
Standard
Melee
Basically lets you do a jump kick, using your athletics skill instead of standard abilities scores. Migh have a move added to it if you roll high enough on the skill check.
just my guess
other option would be powers that use your skills in a non combative way. ie daily wall jump, make a skill check, jump up on a wall.
who knows.
Icosahedrophilia
August 29, 2009
Check out Emerald Press’s Combat Advantage #4 for a concept that might be similar to skill powers … though I must say that I don’t think this 3pp implements the idea particularly well, and expect WotC could do a better job of it.
Kensan_Oni
August 29, 2009
This seems to me to be a ploy to get the people who keep saying “There is nothing to do out of combat” people to shut up.
In all honesty, though, I’m surprised this didn’t come about sooner. I mean, we know Mearls was working on something similar for Iron Heroes way back … 3 years ago? (Someone besides me remembers that game, right?) If Mearls got a chance for any input whatsoever, I’d imagine him futzing with the Skill system.
Not that I see this would placate the “I don’t have Professional Skill so I can’t Role Play” crowd, but at least it’s a nice bone.
Wyatt
August 30, 2009
I’m hoping it’s not some silly skill challenge powers deal. Personally I like that powers and the like were kept away from Skill Challenges and Skill use so they can remain more free form. Instead, I’d like to see these Skill Powers being ways to weave skills into combats more, like how in 3.5 you could tumble to move and prevent attacks of opportunity, or bluff a magic item into working, and things like that. Being able to do cool stunts could help spice combat up even more and add to the tactical nature beyond powers.